Jumbo Shrimp Fall to M-Braves 7-4; Begin Homestand Wednesday

PEARL, Miss. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2-3) fell to the Mississippi Braves (3-2) by a 7-4 score in the fifth and final game of the five-game series at Trustmark Park on Monday afternoon.

Mississippi’s win gives the M-Braves a series victory, winning the last two games of the five-game set to win three out of five contests in the series.

Jacksonville starter Chris Mazza (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in his five innings of work. Braves right-hander Mike Soroka (1-0) earned the win with five scoreless innings in his Double-A debut with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Mississippi took the game’s first lead in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by Travis Demeritte to put the score at 1-0. An inning later, the Braves scored four runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Luis Valenzuela hit an RBI triple to make it 2-0 before Carlos Franco connected on a three-run homer to centerfield to put the Braves’ lead at 5-0.

Jacksonville got a run back in the seventh inning when Taylor Ard delivered an RBI double to put the score at 5-1. Franco struck again in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run single to grow Mississippi’s lead to 7-1.

The Jumbo Shrimp battled back in the top of the eighth, first with Brian Anderson hitting an RBI single to cut the lead to 7-2. Then with two outs, Alex Glenn’s two-RBI single put the score at 7-4, which would be the final.

The Jumbo Shrimp will bus home to Jacksonville during the rest of the day on Monday, before a scheduled off day on Tuesday. Wednesday night will be the home opener at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at 7:05 p.m., as the Jumbo Shrimp begin a five-game series with the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Wednesday, April 12, 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
Opening Night: The first-ever Jumbo Shrimp home opener pregame ceremonies will include an introduction of the new Shrimp mascot, presented by the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships, who will join returning mascot Southpaw to entertain fans. Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville will present the colors, and Master Chief David Twyford will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
Magnet Schedule Giveaway: The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a free 2017 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp magnet schedule.
Postgame Fireworks: The first of 15 fireworks shows during the season will light up the sky following the home opener.

Thursday, April 13, 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
Mavericks Live and Budweiser Thirsty Thursday: Fans can purchase $1 12-oz. and $2 24-oz. beers adjacent to the new Budweiser Tiki Terrace, on the left-field berm, at two locations on the right-field bleachers, and at the Oasis concession stand behind section 115.
Chuck Taylor Night: The Jumbo Shrimp will celebrate the legacy of an American icon as the Converse All-Star turns 100! Anyone named Chuck (Charles) or Taylor gets in free, plus a Chuck Taylor will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. The Jumbo Shrimp front office staff will also sport custom red Jumbo Shrimp Chuck Taylors for the theme night and the rest of the Red Shirt Fridays throughout the season.

Friday, April 14, 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 6 p.m.)
NAPA AutoCare Family Fireworks: Fans may visit any participating NAPA AutoCare Center to get a FREE general admission ticket (reserved seat upgrade available at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville box office) for the Friday night game. At every Friday home game, the Jumbo Shrimp have postgame NAPA AutoCare Family Fireworks!
Red Shirt Friday: Fans are encouraged to wear red to support the military and save $1 per ticket at the box office, or donate the $1 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The Jumbo Shrimp are wearing red “Bold City” jerseys for every Friday home game this season.
Miller Lite and Wild Wing Café Happy Hour: Miller Lite beer specials are available in the new Craft Cave near the third-base gate from gates opening until 7:30 p.m. at every Friday home game. JAX Play Day will also have Jumbo-sized yard games, from Connect Four to life-sized Jenga in the Craft Cave.
St. Vincent’s Medical Mission at Home Food Drive: Fans can bring nonperishable food items to donate to St. Vincent’s Medical Mission at Home, held Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Anyone who brings food for the food drive will be entered into a raffle, with the winner receiving a $25 Visa Gift card and four Jumbo Shrimp tickets.
Wheel House Chef’s Table: In the suite-level lounge open to all fans, the new Chef’s Table serves premium items at a buffet for Friday and Saturday night games. Fans may purchase individual visits to the buffet line for $15 per plate.

Saturday, April 15, 6:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5 p.m.)
Prawn Prize: Darley’s Plumbing Rally Towel Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans receive a free Jumbo Shrimp rally towel, courtesy of Darley’s Plumbing.
Fur Circus: The Jumbo Shrimp are proud to present the Fur Circus, whose FURlarious appearance includes a pregame performance, in-game skits and a free autograph session after the game. Come meet Rizzo, Buddy, Myles and Splash!
Kona Skate Ramp: The World’s Oldest Operating Skatepark, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, will have a Skate Ramp exhibition outside the home plate gates.
St. Vincent’s Medical Mission at Home Food Drive: Fans can bring nonperishable food items to donate to St. Vincent’s Medical Mission at Home, held Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Anyone who brings food for the food drive will be entered into a raffle, with the winner receiving a $25 Visa Gift card and four Jumbo Shrimp tickets.
Wheel House Chef’s Table: In the suite-level lounge open to all fans, the new Chef’s Table serves premium items at a buffet for Friday and Saturday night games. Fans may purchase individual visits to the buffet line for $15 per plate.

Sunday, April 16, 3:05 p.m. (Gates open at 2 p.m.)
Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday: Kids can feel like the pros before each Sunday home game, as families can play catch on the field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Following the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases. Each Sunday features FREE face painting and balloon animals.
Dora Day: Dora the Explorer will be at the ballpark to meet fans of all ages.

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are putting the final touches on their roster for their opening homestand, signing Sgt. Scampi, from K9s For Warriors, as the team’s bat dog for a designated half inning at each Friday home game during the 2017 season. Sgt. Scampi will make his debut at the Jumbo Shrimp game this Friday.

“Sgt. Scampi brings special talent to the Jumbo Shrimp team, and our fans will enjoy his bat retrieving every Friday this season,” said Jumbo Shrimp General Manager Harold Craw. “He represents a great organization, K9s For Warriors, and the military personnel they serve. We are excited to include them in our military appreciation promotions.”

K9s For Warriors, located in Ponte Vedra, Florida, helps veterans with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a new outlook on life. The non-profit group carefully selects dogs for their program from animal shelters across the country and professionally trains them at their facility. The dogs are then matched with warriors with whom they live, learn and bond together for three weeks before graduating and returning to home and family life. To learn more, go to their website at www.k9sforwarriors.org.